India, Oct. 29 -- Actor Shriya Saran, currently basking in the success of Drishyam: The Conclusion, always prioritises heading home for festivities such as Karwa Chauth (being observed today) to celebrate with her husband, a Russian entrepreneur and former tennis player Andrei Koscheev (41) and their daughter, Radha (5). "Work is important, but so is following festivals. Traditions create moments that bring you closer to your family. I try to plan my schedule around these occasions as much as possible because celebrating with my husband and family makes these festivals more special," says Saran. For the actor, Karwa Chauth is also a cherished connection to her childhood and her mother. "My mother has been celebrating it for as long as I can remember. Every Karwa Chauth, she would wear her wedding outfit, and so I do that too. We wear the same red lehenga! As a child, you absorb the emotions, excitement and importance of these traditions. Today, when I celebrate Karwa Chauth myself, I feel connected to those memories and my mother, while creating my own with Andrei," she adds. As for the fasting, Saran says she does follow the custom but opts for a version that allows her to drink water. "I do fast but it's not nirjala as I can't do without water but it's all the same, waiting for the moon, puja and then breaking my fast. It's an amazing feeling. The rituals are beautiful, but what makes the day meaningful is the intention and emotions behind them," she says. The celebrations have also brought some playful moments. Recalling how she once persuaded Koscheev to fast for her, she laughs, "I told Andrei once that he had to fast for me while I fast for him! It kind of worked; he actually fasted for me. But after that, he figured it out and never did it again!" Since becoming parents, the festival has taken on deeper meaning. "Motherhood changes your perspective. You begin to value family moments and little traditions even more. The festivals now feel more meaningful because we are creating memories as a family and introducing our child to the traditions we grew up with," she ends....